Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Kyleigh Rogers

Senior Kyleigh Rogers’ interest in being a sports broadcaster after college should not come as a surprise to anyone who knows her. Kyleigh has always been interested in everything “sports,” and has used her skills to not only participate, but coach as well. As a senior member of the girls bowling team, Kyleigh is responsible for helping carry out a tradition of success and excellence, which is why she is this week’s Oswego East student athlete of the week.

Kyleigh has always been drawn to athletics, learning a great deal about life from them. Always testing her limits, Kyleigh played what were considered “boys” sports, playing baseball for the Oswego Park District, and football for the Oswego Youth Tackle Football Organization. It was there her mother, Kristen Montgomery, says Kyleigh learned self-confidence. “Being the only female in a male dominated sport, Kyleigh learned to be confident in her own abilities and allow others to see that she was just as capable of doing a great job on the field as the boys next to her.”

During Kyleigh’s freshman season, she served as a manager for the sophomore football team, played basketball during the winter, and soccer during the spring. During freshman year, Kyleigh simultaneously coached for the Oswego Youth Tackle Football Organization while fulfilling her duties as a manager for the Oswego East sophomore football team.

Over the past 4 years, Kyleigh has logged over 350 hours of work as a junior coach, serving as a role model to many children. “Having younger brothers (aged 7 and 4) and having young people look up to me is what drives me to continuously work to improve in everything I do,” says Kyleigh. The support Kyleigh has given to young athletes has been reciprocated by the children she coaches, as well as their parents. “The parents are just as impacted by [Kyleigh’s] leadership and the role that she plays in their children’s lives,” says Kristen. She goes on to add, “These young boys look up to her, and the parents bring the boys out to her activities (power puff game, bowling meets), to show their support for her.”

As the 3rd overall bowler on the varsity team this season, Kyleigh has been looked upon to display the same leadership characteristics amongst her teammates as she does when she coaches. After winning the JV individual championship last season as a junior, Kyleigh has been counted on to provide not only the pins to help her team win, but much needed senior leadership.

Kyleigh’s care for others before herself is abundant to both teammates and coaches. Head coach Jeremy Hillman says, “If you ask [Kyleigh] in a tournament where she stands individually, she would not have a clue. She is more concerned with how the team is doing and what she can do to help [improve their score].”

Kyleigh’s hope is to parlay her love of sports into a career. After graduation this spring, Kyleigh is hoping to focus on a track that will lead her to a sports broadcasting career. Patrick Molinari, one of East’s most beloved physical education teachers, believes in Kyleigh’s potential as a sports broadcaster, saying, “Kyleigh is very hardworking, outgoing, passionate, and a diligent young lady.” He goes on to add, “[Kyleigh] is extremely knowledgeable about most sports, and has a passion to be successful. If [sports broadcasting] is something she wants to do, I wouldn’t question her abilities to get it done.”

With regional play this weekend, Kyleigh and her teammates are hoping to add on to the very successful legacy of their predecessors and make a play for a spot downstate. As someone with experience in a number of sports and looked upon as a leader, Kyleigh advises future Wolves to, “Enjoy the time you have here because it goes by way too fast.” She goes on to add, “take advantage of any opportunities, because you may find out something about yourself you didn’t know.” The East family wishes Kyleigh and her teammates the best of luck as they make their march to state.